ASUS TUF VG27AQM5A 27" Black

300Hz refresh rate and a 0.3ms GTG response time put this monitor in the 94th percentile for performance, and it costs just $299. That's the whole story. Color, connectivity, and ergonomics all rank below average, so this is strictly a competitive gaming panel.

300Hz at 1080p with a 0.3ms GTG response time. That combination puts this monitor in the 94th percentile for performance, which is basically the top of the charts for gaming displays. The Fast IPS panel keeps colors from washing out completely while still hitting speeds that make TN panels nervous. Variable Overdrive adjusts on the fly as frame rates dip and spike, so you don't get that weird inverse ghosting when your GPU struggles.

ELMB Sync is the feature that matters most here. It lets the backlight strobing work alongside FreeSync Premium or G-Sync, which normally can't happen. You get tear-free visuals and motion blur reduction at the same time. That's rare at this price point. The 280 nits brightness is nothing special, but in a dark room with a fast-paced shooter, you won't care.

Against the MSI MAG 271QPX QD-OLED E2 or the Samsung Odyssey G60SD, the ASUS gets absolutely smoked on color and contrast. Those OLED panels are in a different league visually. But they also cost significantly more. The LG UltraGear 32GX850A-B and Gigabyte MO27U2 SA offer higher resolutions and better color, but none of them hit 300Hz at this price. The Alienware AW3425DW is a different beast entirely, ultrawide and gorgeous, but it's not a competitive esports panel. The ASUS wins on raw speed per dollar, and loses on everything else.

At $299, this monitor undercuts most high-refresh competitors by a wide margin. You're getting 300Hz and a 0.3ms response time for less than many 144Hz monitors cost. The trade-off is everything else. Color, connectivity, and ergonomics all rank below average. But if you're a competitive gamer on a budget, the performance per dollar here is hard to beat. Just don't expect it to pull double duty as a media or work display.

The headline number here is 300Hz. That's the refresh rate ASUS is pushing on the TUF VG27AQM5A, and it lands this monitor in the 94th percentile for performance in our database. For $299, that's a serious speed-to-price ratio. The 0.3ms GTG response time backs it up, so motion blur gets decimated before it has a chance to annoy you.

But this is a 1080p panel stretched across 27 inches. Pixel density takes a hit, and the color performance sits at the 61st percentile. It's a monitor built for one thing: competitive gaming. If you want a pretty picture for movies or creative work, this isn't your screen. If you want to see the enemy before they see you, keep reading.

Skip this if you do anything besides competitive gaming. The 61st percentile color performance means photos and videos will look mediocre. The 35th percentile connectivity ranking means you're stuck with one HDMI and one DisplayPort, no USB hub, no extras. And the 10th percentile ergonomics score means you'll be fighting the stand to get a comfortable viewing angle. If you want a monitor for work, media, or creative tasks, this isn't it.

The ASUS TUF VG27AQM5A is a one-trick pony, but it's a really good trick. 300Hz at $299 with a 0.3ms response time is a legitimate steal for competitive gamers. The 94th percentile performance ranking backs that up. Just know what you're giving up: color, connectivity, and ergonomics all rank below average. If you play fast-paced shooters and nothing else, buy it. If you want a monitor for mixed use, look elsewhere.